I've only had them drop down to a 1K grit equivalent after a course lapping, where the softs I've used sit right about here.Hard or Black Arkansas.
I've only had them drop down to a 1K grit equivalent after a course lapping, where the softs I've used sit right about here.Hard or Black Arkansas.
Never used the Jupaku 8K. Have the Glass 8K and still exploring it.
I usually go from the 3K or 6K to the 1u/strop or 12K. I find, with my technique and skill level, that the 1u/strop gives me just a touch crisper edge - more of that scary sharp feeling. The 12K does leave a pretty darn fine edge - one that can be very happy with - but it does lose out fractionally to the 1u/diamond.
This could be very much based on my skill/technique. I have an unfounded feeling that I tend to use very light pressure so that diamond may just suit me better.
I can confirm, as the edges are very similar to what I get with a Junpaku 8k. As for evaluating the exact grit, it isn't easy as it contains different sized abrasives. Both stones deliver a refined bite.Personally, and this maybe just me, I feel that the Shapton Pro 12K produces and very nice 7,000 grit edge.
I should break mine out from their long slumber. Problem is, they are really, really slow. Good for a tuneup from almost sharp to really sharp, yes.While not a waterstone, the sintered alumina stones like idahone/spyderco stones may interest you. If you lap and prepare their surfaces like one would a hard arkansas stone they can finish in a wide range depending on the grit used. Unlike arks, they perform well on a wide variety of steels.
I really think we should have a dedicated post on these stones as they are such an odd ball as sharpening stones go.
I have to ask, have you resurfaced it or is that the factory surface? I found the "as molded" surface to be slow too.I should break mine out from their long slumber. Problem is, they are really, really slow. Good for a tuneup from almost sharp to really sharp, yes.
Good point. No, I have not done any resurfacing. I can well imagine that that would change the speed considerably. Lore is that the Fine and Medium are the same stone, with different surface prep.I have to ask, have you resurfaced it or is that the factory surface? I found the "as molded" surface to be slow too.
I did a little speed test a while ago: the swarf on the stone from 2 passes per side medium pressure, window cleaner, tojiro vg10. This side was finished on 90grit SiC and is plenty fast, maybe faster than a naniwa pro 800, but I haven't devised of a good/easy way to test that.
How is it best done? Almost every time I think of reaching for mine, I think about the loading, resolve to learn how to resolve it, and grab something else instead.Fine India is about 800ish JIS if memory serves me well. Eventually it loads, and it’s a PITA to clean it.
Fine India is about 800ish JIS if memory serves me well. Eventually it loads, and it’s a PITA to clean it.
Norton says fine India is ~400 grit. It does indeed load up and is a pain to clean. I've been using cheap AliExpress diamond plates to give it a quick lap here and there between full flattening/lapping on a SiC plate, I've found that works quite well.
How is it best done? Almost every time I think of reaching for mine, I think about the loading, resolve to learn how to resolve it, and grab something else instead.
I would class the suehiro debado 1k as quite soft or at least medium. Never tried a rockstar but shapton glass is hard and they are supposed to be very simillar. I have heard that sigma stone is quite hard too but never tried it myself.Ok. I've finally come around to considering picking up a hard stone again. I just wanted options before. But i am about to buy one now.
So far the serious considerations i am making are
The naniwa hibiki 1000
Maybe the suehiro debado. But there are different versions and idk anything about them so I'm a bit wary.
The shapton rockstar. I will have to double check price.
I might look into the sigma ceramic, i have no idea how hard that is.
Someone bringing up the spyderco stones, that is a good idea actually. I might see if they still sell the medium or whatever they call it. That could be a good choice. I have never tried theirs, but have seen them for years.
In this case diamond aren't what i am interested in since ive seen them mentioned. This is for finishing non vanadium carbide steels. I already have a new 1k diamond stone in mind.
There are a few different types of debado. Which is kind of why i dont want to buy one. Because idk if one is harder than another.I would class the suehiro debado 1k as quite soft or at least medium. Never tried a rockstar but shapton glass is hard and they are supposed to be very simillar. I have heard that sigma stone is quite hard too but never tried it myself.
I have a spare "b grade" fine that Ive done a bit of lapping/resurfacing too that your welcome to try.The spyderco's are tempting too.
The hibiki is my favourite stone right now. Be sure to soak it at least 15 Minutes. Great edges on softer steels and good bridge stone to 3k.Idk i might just go hibiki. It will for sure be very hard. So its a safe bet.
The spyderco's are tempting too.
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